Agoda springs into Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival

Agoda.com, Asia’s global hotel site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline.com, has secured special rates for travelers heading to Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival.

Agoda.com, Asia’s global hotel site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline.com, has secured special rates for travelers heading to Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival.

Sakura – the delicate pink flowers of the cherry blossom tree – appear just once a year in early spring and stay in bloom for only a week. Hanami, the long-standing Japanese tradition of observing this beautiful natural phenomenon, remains as popular today as it was when the custom first began in the late sixth century.

Sakura trees come into bloom in Japan’s south in late March, with the last of the blossoms falling from Hokkaido’s trees at the end of May. Sakura are deeply interwoven into Japanese culture, their image appearing on kimonos, in countless woodblock prints, and on the 100 yen coin. The cherry blossoms’ fleeting duration has strong connections with Buddhist concepts of mortality and the transience of life, giving the trees an even deeper spiritual and cultural significance.

There are several key locations across Japan where the cherry blossoms are best viewed and where “hanami parties” take place. Tokyo’s Ueno Park has more than a thousand sakura trees, which are festooned with blossoms each year, drawing thousands of locals who reserve the best viewing spots and celebrate the event with sake and special foods.

Kyoto also has fantastic hanami spots. The banks of the Kamogawa River are lined with sakura trees, while Daigoji Temple and the Hirano Shrine provide more reverent venues to appreciate the blossoms’ beauty. In Osaka, crowds gather at Osaka Castle where 4,000 sakura trees bloom along the ramparts, giving the appearance of a castle afloat on a bed of pink clouds.

Thanks to Agoda’s discount rates on hotel rooms throughout Japan, travelers from around the world have a choice of prime locations to experience the Cherry Blossom Festival across Japan, enjoying great savings at the same time. For the best deals on hotels in Japan this Sakura season, check out the special offers below.

KYOTO:

Hotel Sunroute Kyoto – 3 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/kyoto/hotel_sunroute_kyoto.html
Book a Corner, Semi Double or Standard Twin Room for three nights from US$81 per night. Normal rate: US$101. Valid from March 22.

Aranvert Hotel Kyoto – 3 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/kyoto/aranvert_hotel.html
Book a Semi Double or Standard Twin Room for three nights from US$99 per night.

Hotel Granvia Kyoto – 5 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/kyoto/hotel_granvia_kyoto.html
Book any room type for 3 nights from US$168 per night. Normal rate: US$224.

ASAKASA:

Chisun Grand Akasaka – 3 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/tokyo/chisun_grand_akasaka.html
Book a Superior Double or a Superior Single Room for 3 nights minimum from US$109 per night. Normal rate: US$136.

Chisun Inn Asakusa – 2 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/tokyo/chisun_inn_asakusa.html
Book a Single or Double Room for 3 nights minimum from US$101 per night. Normal rate: US$81.

TOKYO:

Chisun Hotel Ueno – 2 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/tokyo/chisun_hotel_ueno.html
Book a Double, Semi Double or Single room for 3 nights minimum from US$94 per night. Normal rate: US$123.

OSAKA:

Chisun Hotel Shinsaibashi – 3 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/osaka/chisun_hotel_shinsaibashi.html
Book a Single, Double or Twin room for 3 nights minimum from US$56 per night. Normal rate: US$70.

Chisun Inn Osaka Honmachi – 3 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/osaka/chisun_inn_osaka_hommachi.html
Book a Single, Double or Twin room for 3 nights minimum from US$56 per night. Normal rate: US$70.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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